Coming together to pray all during the day has become important to Christians each year on the first Thursday of May which became the National Day of Prayer in 1988. All over the nation and all through the day, men, women and children will stop today to pray alone, in small groups and large gatherings.

This is a time to seek God for the healing of our nation and our hearts. Honorary Chair for the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Joni Tada wrote,

Let’s covenant afresh to pray for America and what goes on in our nation’s capital. Because if you and I don’t cry out to God, then shame on us – the very monuments and memorials in Washington DC are crying out to God! The tallest memorial in that city is already praising the greatness of God: inscribed on the eastern face of the Washington Monument are these simple words carved in stone: Laus Deo. It’s Latin and it literally means ‘Praise God!’

Whether morning, evening or night set aside a time today to pray for each other and for our nation.

Linda G. Howard

Linda G. Howard is the best-selling and award-winning author of four books, including MOTHERS ARE PEOPLE, TOO and THE SECRET LIFE OF A HOUSEWIFE. Currently, she serves as area director of The Special Gathering, a ministry within the mentally challenged community. Additionally, she is the co-publisher and editor of CONNECTING POINT, the ministry newsletter. Her husband is a retired aerospace technologist who worked for NASA. They have three children and four grandchildren.